Protests at closure of care home

(An edited version of this was published in the Sunday World June 12th)

Over 60 people protested on Thursday outside the offices of Apex Housing in Derry on Thursday, in protest at Apex’s decision to close Bell Gray House in Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone. The UNISON trade union organised the demonstration, attended by relatives, staff, members of the public and Assembly members.

Apex plans to move Bell Gray’s 23 elderly residents 10 miles away, to another care home it owns in Castlederg.

Eddie Donnell from Newtownstewart  fears the move will kill his 99 year old mother, who lives in Bell Gray. “She is very, very happy here,” Donnell said. “It’s very easy for family and friends to call in.” As a retired nurse, Donnell knows how important that contact is.

Donnell is also concerned for the staff. “Several of them in her can walk in in the mornings, they can’t drive, it’s a non starterfor them to move to Castlederg.”

Janet Cooper’s mother also lives in Bell Gray. She accused Apex of not  caring about the effect on residents. “The care here is excellent,” she said.  Her mother became ill very suddenly, and had been in a couple of other facilities before Bell Gray. “Since she came here, she’s improved,” Ms Cooper said. “Her social skills is improved, she’s interacting well with other residents. The social worker, the doctor, have said how much she improved.

“It’s down to the staff, the environment. It’s stimulating, it’s homely. It’s a small house, they can do that. Apex should have a duty of care.”

A resident in his late 80s said: “We shall not be moved. Money, money, that’s what this is all about.”  He said residents were not consulted. They just got an announcement. “We’re only a broken stick, we’re not big enough for that crowd,” he said. “The staff is first class. You couldn’t get better in the world. I know all of them by their name. It’s more like a part of a family.”

Another residents in his 80s said he was disgusted at how they were being treated. “They’re going to chuck us out now, from one place to the other,” he said. “That’s what they’re doing.”

Staff members are being offered redeployment to Castlderg – but for some it’s not possible. They will be losing their jobs. Jackie Donnell is one. “I don’t drive and I’ll have to give up my job,” she said. “There is no public transport. I’d have to to on the bus to Strabane, and another to Castlderg. That’s not on for a half seven shift.”

Niall McCarroll from UNISON said he questioned why Apex was closing the home. “The reasons that they are giving for closing the place down are false,” he said. “They’re trying to use the RQIA (Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority) and the state of the building,” he said. “But the last RQIA report gave it a well-run home.”

 3,000 signed have already signed a petition calling for Bell Gray to be kept open. There has been a packed meeting in Newtownstewart. The campaign has got support from MLAs and councillors of all parties, and from West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty

According to the latest set of accounts, Apex Housing had an operating surplus of £7.5million last year ending 31^st March last year.

A spokesman for Apex said the closure was necessary due to high staff turnover, and the condition of Bell Gray House. “Apex employed technical consultants to assess both the physical fabric of the building and its mechanical and electrical components,” the spokesman said. “Their report showed a requirement to spend over £300,000 plus vat (which is not reclaimable) on the property which would only increase the number of available beds marginally. Considerably more investment would be required to increase occupancy to a more viable level however the number of vacancies arising over the last number of years indicates that there is insufficient demand within the local area.”

McCarroll said the campaign is continuing. Campaigners have asked to speak to the next meeting of the Western Trust on June 9^th.

by Anton McCabe

Fermanagh woman burned Republican wreaths

A police witness has told Omagh Magistrates Court tensions are high in the Netownbutler area of Fermanagh after wreaths on Republican graves were burnt last weekend. The witness was opposing a bail application from Donna Bradley. Bradley was charged with burning the wreaths, belonging to the National Graves Association. She was also charged with three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, and one of common assault. When police charged Bradley, she said: “That’s lies. I was burning my black wreath.”

Judge Bernie Kelly asked Bradley why she had been shouting when held in cells below the court. “I was afraid them boys from Newtownbutler were going to get me,” Bradley told the judge. “They’re all in the IRA you know.” After listening to defence submissions, Judge Kelly granted bail to 44 year old Bradley, of Galloon Gardens, Newtownbutler, and remanded her to Enniskillen Magistrates Court on July 4^th.

Is Irish becoming a girls' language in schools?

by

Anton McCabe 

(an edited version of this piece was published in An tUltach, May 2016)

Tá athrú suntasach agus tobann ann ó thús an chéid mar a bhaineann le Gaeilge sna scoileanna ó Thuaidh. Is cailíní níos mó agus níos mó atá ag tabhairt faoi.

Tá sin le feiceáil sna staitisticí.

I 2002, rinne 2771 Gaeilge ag GCSE. Bhí sé beagnach chomh cothrom agus is féidir a bheith. Bhí 1359 gasúr agus 1412 cailín ann. Sna scoileanna ‘Neamh-Gramadaigh’ (na sean-scoileanna idirmheánacha don chuid ba mhó) bhí rud beag nìos mó gasúr ann, 682 malairt 659 cailín.

I 2015, rinne 1,830 Gaeilge ag GCSE. Bhí 1,136 cailín ann, agus gan ach 694 buachall. Taobh amuigh de na scoileanna gramadaigh, ba cailíní beagnach 75% a thug faoi.

Is tuar dóchais nach amháin go bhfuil an Ghaeilge ag coinneáil ag A Léibhéal, ach go bhfuil méadú ann. Is a mhalairt atá ag tarlú do theangacha eile. Rinne 253 an A Léibhéal i 2002. Bhí 160 cailín ann, malairt 93 buachall. Ba laghdú sin ó 329 trí bliana roimhe.

I 2015 rinne 330 A Léibhéal Gaeilge. Tá an feabhas sin maith, ach go gcaithfear bheith cúramach leis. Ba cailíní go huile is go hiomlán a spreag an méadú. Bhí 239 acu ann, malairt 91 buachall. Taobh amuigh de na scoileanna gramadaigh, ba cailíní 81.5% orthu siúd a chuaigh faoin scrúdú.

Cinnte, cúis atá leis ná go bhfuil athrú ar oideachas. Tá níos mó ábhar ar fáil, roghanna nach raibh ann san am a chuaigh thart. Chríochnaigh mise an A Léibhéal i 1971, i Scoil Gramadach na mBráithre ar an Ómaigh. Ba scoil measartha mór é. Bhí ocht n-ábhar ar fáil ag A Léibhéal, agus trí cinn déag ag O-Léibhéal (GCSE anois). Tá anois dualgas ar scoileanna 27 ábhar a chur ar fail ag GCSE, agus 24 ag A Léibhéal.

Is comhartha arathruithe go bhfuil laghdú ar Ghaeilge i roinnt de na scoileanna gramadaigh a bhíodh láidre. Nuair a bhí mé ar an scoil, bhí tréan scoláire ó na scoileanna sin go raibh Gaeilge acu.  Cuid acu, is ar éigean más ann don Gaeilge iontu ag A Léibhéal anois.

Aithníonn múinteoirí gur labhair mé leo go bhfuil fadhb ann ó thaobh buachaillí agus Gaeilge. Tá claonadh ag gasúir dul le hábhair atá praicticiúla, nó bainte le spórt. Bíonn cailíní níos tugtha d’ábhair acadúla i gcoitinne. D’inis múinteoir amháin dom go raibh sí ag teagasc i scoil a bhí láidir ó thaobh na Gaeilge. Dá mbeadh 15 i rang Gaeilge, bheadh beirt nó triúr gasúr ar a mhéid. Ag an tríú léibhéal, is maith más é an ceathrú cuid den rang a bhíonn i gceist.

Baineann seo, chomh maith, leis an ísliú céime a fuair teangacha i gcoitinne sa chóras oideachais. Nìl nua-theanga riachtanach ag GCSE ó 2004 i leith. Ba rialtas Tony Blair a ghlac an cinneadh. Dá mba rialtas de chuid an Lucht Oibre é, bhí fealsúnacht ‘Little England’ Thatcher agus na dTóraithe go smior iontu.

Táimid faoi thionchar na fealsúnachta sin, faraor. Sampla den toradh atá air ná go bhfuil deireadh le teagasc na Gearmáiníse in Ollscoil na Ríona, agus deireadh dá chur leis in Ollscoil Uladh go luath.

Cinnte, tá scoláirí an lae inniu faoi bhrú le torthaí maithe a fháil. Sa chomhthéacs ain, tá tuilleadh brú ar theangacha. Tá sé amuigh ar theangacha go bhfuil sé deacra. Tá cuid den fhírínne ansin, go háirithe sa Tuaisceart, ó tugadh isteach ‘controlled assessment’ tamall de bhlianta ó shoin.

Caithfear a rá, mar sin féin, go bhfuil rian maith den scéal gan bhunús ar an ‘deacracht le teangacha’ i scrúdaithe. I Sasana agus an Bhreatain Beag anuraidh ag GCSE, fuair 74% d’iarrthóirí C nó níos fear sa Gearmáinís, 71% sin sa bhFraincís, agus gan ach 63% sa Mhatamatic. Seans, b’fhéidir, go raibh na daoine a rinne teangacha níos tiománta, ach an míniú iomlán sin?

Cinnte, tá impleachtaí don Ghaeilge sa neamhaird ar theangacha. Tá toradh air sa Bhreatain, agus is cuid den stát céanna sin. Dúirt An British Academy go bhfuil an stat sin sáinnithe i ‘a vicious circle of monolingualism’. Níl 85% de phobal na Breataine ábalta comhrá a dhéanamh i dteanga eile, seachas an Béarla. Rinneadh suirbhé i 14 tír de chuid an Aontais Eorpaigh: bhí na scileanna teangan ba mheasa ag scoláirí na Breataine.

Tá rudaí ag dul in olcas. Le 10 bliain anus i Sasana agus sa Bhreatain Bheag, tá laghdú 50% ar an lion atá ag gabháil don Gearmáinís, agus laghdú 40% ar an lion ag gabháil don bhFraincís. Tá impleachtaí tromcúiseacha ann d’achan gné den saol.

Agus sin mar chúlra, tá ag éirí go maith leis an Ghaeilge.

Tá níos mó suime sa Ghaeilge sa Tuaisceart ná mar a bhí riamh. Cinnte, is mionlach iad an mhuintir a chuireann suim ann. Níl siad teoranta don phobal Caitliceach nó náisiúnach. Tá buaine leis an athbheochan atá anois ann. Cinnte, bhí Conradh na Gaeilge ann ag tús an Chéid seo caite, sularbh ann don stát ó thuaidh. Ba thonn é a tháinig go tobann – agus a thráigh chomh tobann céanna. Cinnte, bhí níos mó páirteach. Ba bheag go maith an rian a d’fhág sé. Cinnte, tá cuid mhór den locht ar an chorraíl idir 1912 go 1923. Sciob sin a lán den obair chun siúil.

Tá impleachtaí ag a bhfuil ag tarlú sa chóras oideachais ó thuaidh don chóras oideachais ó dheas. Is léir don uile duine gur praiseach atá sa Ghaeilge éigeantach mar atá anois. Cinnte, dá gcuirfí deireadh leis, mhairfeadh an Ghaeilge mar ábhar scoile. Mhairfeadh tréan scoláire ag gabháil dó.

Ach tá fianaise ann go mbeadh na laigí céanna ag baint leis agus atá ag baint leis sa Tuaisceart. Is ésin, gur ábhar ag cailíní a bheadh ann.

Tá sé riachtanach go bhfanfadh Gaeilge ar churaclam na scoileanna ó Dheas, go mbeadh sé éigeantach, le go mbeadh tuiscint ag scoláirí ar chultúr agus dúchas s’acu. Leis, tá sé riachtanach go mbeadh bealach ann le buachaillí a spreagadh chun tabhairt faoin Ghaeilge, agus ní cailíní amháin. Nach don uile duine an Ghaeilge?

Wind Farm Expansion turned down

by Anton McCabe

(an edited version of this piece was published in the Sunday World May 30th 2016)

The Planning Appeals Commission has refused permission for taller replacement turbines at one of Northern Ireland’s most visible wind farms, Bessy Bell One, near Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone. The Commission ruled: “The adverse impacts on visual amenity, landscape character, the historic (Baronscourt) demesne and listed buildings within it as well as the risks to public safety and protected species are unacceptable.”

The wind farm is on the side of Bessy Bell Mountain, and can be seen from much of West Tyrone. Wind Farm company SSE had applied to replace the 10 existing turbines. They are 56.5 metres (185 feet) high. Six of the proposed new turbines were to be 126.5 metres (415 feet) high, and the other four 115 metres (377 feet) high. The wind farm was to cover a bigger area: six of the turbines were to be to the south-west of the current site.

Replacing the turbines was going to mean large-scale building work on the site. It would also have meant works on the road from Derry port, to allow the turbines to be transported.

In its ruling, the Commissioner said it had examined the proposed farm from several viewpoints. “The magnitude of change would have an adverse impact on landscape character and visual amenity,” it ruled. This was particularly from the west and south.

It was also scathing of the expanded wind farm’s impact on Baronscourt House and Demesne, one of Northern Ireland’s most important listed buildings. “The introduction of these incongruous features into the planned historic view outwards from the House would cause harm to its setting from the view southwards,” it ruled.

The Commission also rejected the wind farm because it could pose a small but real danger to public safety. Part of the Ulster Way long-distance walk goes through the new site. There is no proposal to re-route it. “Whilst there is no evidence that this would be a significant risk, public safety is a consideration where it is appropriate to adopt a precautionary approach,” it ruled.  The wind farm would damage habitats for badgers and red squirrels.

Campaigners against wind farms welcomed the decision. Owen McMullan of West Tyrone Against Wind Turbines said there are already too many wind farms in the area. “I am delighted to see the planners seeing sense,” he said.

According to SSE, the proposed upgraded wind farm would produce four times more electricity than at present. A spokesman for the company said: "We are disappointed with the decision of the Planning Appeals Commission and will take time to consider the Commissioner's report. SSE remains committed to developing green energy through our wind farm projects, bringing with those projects local jobs, economic contribution and significant community benefit for the region, not only during construction but through the operational lifetime of each of our wind farms."

Last month, the Commission also rejected another wind farm at Cloghinarney, outside Ballymena, because of “a very considerable adverse impact on the landscape character of the area.”

Dungannon man charged with Peatlands Rape

by Anton McCabe

(A slighly edited version of this was published on the Ulster Herald May 2nd 2016)

A police witness has given Omagh Magistrates Court graphic details of a rape and sexual attack on a woman in Peatlands Park, Dungannon, on Wednesday of last week. She gave the evidence during the appearance of James Wright at a special sitting of the court on Monday.

The police witness said the victim had been walking her dog in the park. A man passed her several times on a mountain bike. “She noticed a male coming close,” the witness said. “He grabbed her and put his hand over her mouth.” The woman did not resist, as she realised she was on her own.

Wright pulled her to the ground, removed all her clothing, and his trousers and shoes. The witness then gave graphic details of the assault. During it, Wright is alleged to have put his fingers in the victim's mouth. This caused her to choke.

“She believed from his behaviour that he had a learning difficulty of some sort,” the witness said. The victim asked him who he was. He replied “I can't tell you as you will tell someone and I would be in trouble.” She described the man as about 6ft tall, of stocky build with drooping eyebrows.

The victim reported the attack to police. From a description she gave, police arrested Wright at his home in the early hours of Friday morning last. During a search they recovered a black and silver mountain bike, and a high-visibility jacket with the letters 'RSA' on it. Both matched descriptions the victim gave. A third item – a cycle helmet – remains unaccounted. Police believe this may contain further forensic evidence. If Wright is given bail, he may find and destroy it.

During interview Wright refused to give intimate evidential samples, on the advice of his solicitor. When asked if he raped the woman he replied: “I don’t want to answer that question.” This was on his solicitor's advice.

The police witness stenuously opposed bail. “Whilst it is accepted the defendant has no previous we believe he poses a serious risk to the public,” she said. “Police fear this was a random, impulsive and sexually motivated ambush and the victim was chosen because she was alone.” She also feared for Wright's safety were he released.

The witness and the defence solicitor agreed Wright suffers severe learning disabilities. He was accompanied in the dock by a named individual. At times during the hearing, she appeared to explain to him what was happening.

A defence soclitor criticised the length of time taken to have his client brought to court. “Irreparable damage may have been done and could continue if a remand in custody is ordered,” he said. “He has never been known to police in the past.”

The police witness said Wright was medically examined by two forensic medical officers, and found to be fit for both detention and charge. She pointed out Wright had been known to police, but never as a suspect. He had applied for a firearms licence in 2009, which was refused.

The defence solicitor said: “My client is an extremely vulnerable gentleman who is in the care of the Health Trust. I believe he should be treated as a juvenile.” The defence applied to have Wright’s name and address banned from being reported. The police witness said he had already been named on social media. District Judge Peter King refused the application.

Judge King also refused a bail application. “These are very serious allegations,” he said. “I am particularly concerned about the ambush-style of the attack and the motive of the attacker. There is also the matter of the missing cycling helmet. I do not take decisions to remand in custody lightly but I believe at present it is both proportionate and reasonable.”

He remanded 23 year old Wright, of Derrylee Road, Dungannon, in custody to appear by video-link at Dungannon Magistrates Court on May 18th.

Community feels under siege from giant wind farm

(A slighly edited version was published in the Sunday World on April 3rd 2016(

Residents in the small mountain community of Broughderg in Co Tyrone feel they are under siege from a planning application to build Northern Ireland’s largest wind farm beside them. The Doraville Wind Farm will cover five townlands, of over 15 square miles, with 36 turbines. Eleven turbines will be 415 feet high, and 25 will be 460 feet. One 460 foot turbine will be on a spot over 1,400 feet high.

The site is in the Sperrins’ Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The wind farm will, according to the planning application, also include transformers, switchgear and hardstanding at each turbine; internal access tracks and site access; an operations building and wind farm substation compound and building; a parking area; two temporary construction compounds; five permanent meteorological masts; borrow pits; peat storage; spoil deposition; forestry removal and works on the road to Magherafelt.

Mary McKenna from Broughderg Community Association said the community feels under siege. “These turbines will overshadow us,” she said. “I feel it’s a threat to the long-term survival of the community. This is bringing in a large-scale industry. It’s going to be noisy.

“We’ll get no peace on the road when the building work is going on. The company has said that there will be 2,476 lorries coming and going in one month. The roads round here aren’t made for that kind of traffic.”

McKenna feels her community is being taken for granted because it is small and in a remote area. “We have a good community here, and we stand by one another,” she said. “I have never done anything except what the community wants me to do.”

She said that, for the past 20 years, the community association has been working to develop tourism in the area. “That will have long-term jobs for our young people,” she said.

Local resident and councillor Sean Clarke said he knows a young married couple in the area who were refused planning permission to build a house because of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

He is concerned that Tyrone has too many wind farms. “They are really in your face, everywhere,” he said. “From Broughderg, I can see half a dozen wind farms. There are about half a dozen others in the pipeline, that I’ll be fit to see as well.”

As well as being a councillor and farmer, he is a tour guide who believes the area has a lot to offer. “It’s an untouched landscape,” he said. “It’s natural and it’s different. You have glaciated valleys, eskers. You have human activity – people have been in the area for over 7,000 years. There are monuments round here, like the Beaghmore Stone Circles.

“There is heritage and culture. This is Munterloney, it was the heart of the Tyrone Gaeltacht. This place is unique – it’s what makes people want to see it.”

Clarke is also concerned that parts of the wind farm site are blanket bog. “The Sperrins are noted for summer storms, with thunder and cloud-bursts,” he said. “Landslides are common enough – on ground that’s not touched.

SSE Renewables are seeking to build the wind farm. According to documents they have filed with planners, the wind farm will be decommissioned after 25 years.

The documentation makes clear it will provide few jobs. “Wind turbines and wind farms are designed to operate largely unattended,” the application says. “An operator will be employed to monitor the turbines, largely through remote routine interrogation of the SCADA system.” This operator need not be based on the site.”

Locals are not the only objectors. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSBP) has expressed concerns about turbine blades killing birds, and destruction of bird habitat. “We have concerns that the level of bird survey carried out for this application is misrepresented within the Environmental Statement (ES),” the RSBP wrote. It has further concerns about SSE’s application. “ The presentation of the data for the collision risk analysis is poor. ... The number of turbines used in the analysis is 26 rather than 36 which would likely underestimate the impact.”

A spokesperson for SSE said that, because of public consultation “we took steps to revise the turbine layout to reduce the visual impact accordingly.” This included reducing turbine numbers from 43 to 36. The company carried out extensive environmental studies. “They identified that the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures would ensure that the project would not adversely affect the ecological integrity of the site,” the spokesperson said. 

A detailed peat stability risk assessment was undertaken “to identify potential effects and the appropriate mitigation measures for maintaining stability of the peat... All project site infrastructure is located in low risk areas.”

The spokesperson claimed that Doraville Wind Farm will inject £50million into the local economy, through jobs and purchases of supplies, pay £28million in rates, and give £16million to community projects.

Jack Johnston, a campaigner for townlands

(A slightly edited version of this was published in An tUltach, October 2015)

Tá Jack Johnston ón gClochar i dTír Eoghan sáite sa stair áitiúil. Bhí sé feiliúnach gur bhuail mé leis i Rannóg na Staire Áitiúla sa leabharlann ar an Ómaigh, áit mar a raibh sé i mbun taighde ar shean-nuachtáin. Tá aithne chomh maith ansin air gur aimsigh an fhoireann seomra ciúin dúinn.

Is sin an chúis is ansa leis ná cosaint na mbailtí fearann. Dar leis go bhfuil siad faoi bhagairt sa Tuaisceart, i ndiaidh gur tugadh isteach postchóid ag tús na 70idí.

“Tá siad faoi bhagairt mar nach bhfuil úsáid dá bhaint astu, mar ba cheart a dhéanamh” ar seisean. “Agus tá a bheag a dhéanamh an t-am ar fad d'ainmneacha na mbailte fearann, don chuid is mó, de bharr ainmneacha na mbóithre.” Dar le daoine nach bhfuil ainmneacha na mbailte fearann chomh h-inmhuiníneach sin mar sheoladh. mar sin téann siad le h-ainm an bhóthair agus uimhir an tí. Fágann sin go gcailleann siad “saibhreas na h-áite mar a bhfuil cónaí orthu go fírínneach, seachas ainm a chruthaigh Oifig an Phoist.”

Is ceantar tuaithe traidisiúnta go maith é Paróiste an Chlochair. Ainneoin sin, tá dearmad dá dhéanamh ar bhailte fearann ann – dála a bhfuil ag tarlú achan áit eile. “Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil sé níos measa ar an Chlochar,” arsa Jack. “Bainim féin úsáid as mo bhaile fearann, agus ní théann mo chuid litreacha amú in am ar bith. Má tá ainm an bhaile fearann air, tagann sé chugam. Agus is dóigh liom go bhfuil fhios ag fir poist an cheantair nach nglacfaidh mé le post a thagann chuid seoladh a cumadh – nó go ndéanfaidh mé mo dhícheall gan glacadh leis. Áitim go mbeadh ainm mo bhaile fearann air – agus sílim gur bealach é go dtig linn ainmneacha na mbailte fearann a choinneáil beo sa phobal. Muna mbaintear úsáid astu, gheobhaidh siad bás.”

Baineann go leoir le glúnta. “An áit mar a bhfuil an sean-ghlúin, tá úsáid dá mbaint astu ar fad,” ar seisean. “Tá lanúnacha óga nua-phósta – níl mé ag cur locht orthu – b'fhéidir nach eol dóibh baile fearann s'acu, ní cuid dá bhféiniúlacht é. Is dócha gur aistrigh siad ón áit gurb as dóibh – mar a mbeadh an baile fearann ar eolas acu.”

Tá eagla ar Jack go bhfaighfidh ainmneacha na mbailte fearann bás leis an sean-ghlúin. “Tá sin le feiceáil go soiléar cheana,” ar seisean. “Cuir tusa ceist ar dhuine – mar shampla, tríocha bliain d'aois – ainmneacha cúig nó deich mbaile fearann thart orthu a thabhairt – gheobhaidh siad triúr nó ceathrar, ansin beidh siad i dtrioblóid. Ach má cuireann tú ceist ar dhuine seasca nó seachtó bliain d'aois, beidh siad ábalta cúigear déag nó fiche a ainmniú láithreach bonn. Is léir go bhfuil laghdú chuile lá ar an úsáid atá dá bhaint as an bhaile fearann. Agus, ar ndóigh, ní bhaineann gníomhachtaí rialtais úsáid as an bhaile fearann, baineann siad úsáid as an seoladh poist.”

Le blianta, bhí Fear Manach ar an cheantar deireannach ó Thuaidh a sheas leis na bailtí fearann, iad mar chuid den saol ann. Thug Jack tacaíocht don seasaimh sin, ag obair le cumainn áitiúla staire. Faraor, thréig Comhairle Fhear Manach na mbailtí fearann faoi dheireadh cúpla bliain ó shoin.

“Sháraigh idir comhlachtaí fón póca agus gnóanna móra iad, dreamanna a bhaineann úsáid as bunachair sonraí, agus a deir nach dtig leo an baile fearann a ionchorpú sa bunachar sonraí,” ar seisean. “Tá cuid mhóir rudaí ag obair in éadan an bhaile fearann, agus tá eagla orm go rachaidh Fear Manach an bealach céanna agus a chuaigh achan áit eile.”

Beart a chuireann as do Jack ná nach bhfuil an slad ar na bailtí fearann riachtanach. Tá a leithéidí de sheoltaí i nGàidhealtacht agus in oileáin na hAlban, agus sa Bhreatain Bheag. Níl sé riachtanach ansin go gcumfí ainmneacha bóthair mar seoltaí. “Aithnítear daoine as an áit mar a bhfuil cónaí orthu, agus ní fheicim ábhar ar bith nárbh fhéidir a leithí a dhéanamh i dTuaisceart Éireann,” ar seisean.

Dar leis go mbeidh deachtrachtaí ann agus an daonáiremmh dá chur lena chéile “mar go ndéanann siad daoine a mhapáil de réir baile fearainne agus an daonáireamh dá chur lena chéile. Má dhéanann tú iarracht é a dhéanamh bealach ar bith eile, tá tú i dtrioblóid. Cá tosnaíonn bóthar, agus cá bhfuil críoch leis? Ach tá teorann deimhin ag baile fearann, agus tig leat líon na ndaoine sa limistéar mapáilte sin a chomháireamh. Is fadhb sin a bheidh ag méadú amach anseo – sonraithe a bhailiú.” Beidh impleachtaí le sin ó thaobh soláthar seirbhísí poiblí.

Tá feachtas láidir leanúnach ann le hainmnithe na mbailte fearann a chaomhnú. Tá na cumainn staire áitiúla staire ach go háirithe gníomhacha. Bhí feachtas 'Save Our Townlands' ag an Federation for Ulster Local Studies ag deireadh na 70idí agus tús na 80idí. Ainneoin chomh láidir agus a bhí, bhí idir comhairlí áitiúla agus an rialtas lárnach ró-láidir.

Fuair – agus faigheann – an feachtas tacaíocht mhaith “go háirithe i measc na glúine sin atá ag dul in aois a thuig chomh luachmhar agus na bhí na bailtí fearann ó thaobh na féiniúlachta. Is iomaí teaghlach a aithnítear as ainm an bhaile fearann mar a bhfuil cónaí orthu. Ba dhlúth-chuid de dhúchas a dteaghlach é. Tá borradh ann sa spéis le hainmneacha na mbailte fearann a chaomhnú. Ní an sean-dream amháin, ach iad siúd sa dream óg go bhfuil suim acu ina n-áit féin.”

Tá imní ar chuid mhór den dream óg seo go sciobfar na h-ainmneacha seo chun siúil muna ndéantear rud éigean. Aithníonn Jack go bhfuil, ar an taobh eile, go leoir den dream seo i muinín fón póca “agus dar leo nach dtig leo fón nua a fháil muna bhfuil ainm s'acu ar bhunachar sonraí. Déanann sin leatrom ar ainm bhaile fearann – munar ainm bhóthair faoi leith é.”

Mar sin féin, tuigeann daoine gur minic a ndúchas féin mar chuid d'ainm bhaile fearainne – mar shampla Ballymacaffry lámh leis an tIompú Deiseal i bhFear Manach. Insíonn an t-ainm go maireann – nó gur mhair – teaghlach áirithe ann.

Dá gcaillfí na h-ainmneacha seo, bheadh aimnéise staire ar an phobal, agus má cailltear iad, is beag an sans iad a fháil arais. Is minic gur sine iad ná na paróistí, agus is cinnte gur sine iad ná na contaethe, nó nár tháinig siadsan ach le deireadh an 16ú Chéid.

Dar le Jack gur sa diaspóra ach go háirithe atá an suim ag méadú, tithe agus feirmeacha i gCeanada, san Astráil agus sa Nua Séalainn dá n-ainmniú as baile fearann dúchas an úinéara in Éirinn – nó bíonn daoine ar lorg a bhféiniúlachta féin.

Tuigeann Jack luach an dúchais. Tá fhios aige go cinnte go dtéann a mhuintir siar trí glúin sa bhaile fearann s'aige, agus naoi glúin fán Clochar – agus níos faide siar, ach gan an fhianise dearfa sin bheith aige. Ón dtaobh proifisiúnta, is staraí é Jack, céimí de chuid Coláiste na Trionóide. Spreagann an dá thaobh suim s'aige sna bailtí fearann. “Chonaic mé a luach ó thaobh na staire,” ar seisean. Mar staraí, tá sé ag obair leo chuile lá. “Ní thiocfadh liom maireachtáil gan iad,” ar seisean, ag gáire.